Lt. General James Campbell, Army Staff director, speaks about his experiences of being in the army, Monday at University Hall. The Lieutenant General listened and spoke to students after the speech. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran)

Lt. Gen. James Campbell’s voice was reminiscent of a religious sermon as he spoke about Col. Gadsden, who lost both legs due to a roadside bomb in Iraq. Campbell said the main reason he was speaking to the class was to talk about the true meaning of character. He said being in the service built his character.

“I have the honor of being a soldier,” he said. 

The Army staff director spoke during government professor Dr. Allan Saxe’s class Monday, flanked by near-perfect class attendance.

Saxe was contacted by the Army’s Outreach office about the possibility of the lieutenant general speaking in his class.

“I said absolutely, and it turned out wonderful,” Saxe said. “Very rarely does a lieutenant general address an Intro to Government class.”

Saxe said he always liked the idea of having speakers to his classroom.

“I’ve always tried to use my classroom for government things. I mean senators, governors, mayors of every political ideology,” Saxe said.

Campbell has known Gadsden and his family for a long time. He said he was distressed when he got the phone call that his friend had lost his legs.

He visited Gadsden at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center after hearing the news. Campbell told Gadsden he was proud of him, as if he were his own son.

Soldiers the same age as most students are displaying incredible character and courage, Campbell said.

English freshman Meghan Applewhite listened closely as Campbell spoke.

“He reminded me a lot of my grandpa,” Applewhite said. “He just died in May.”

She said Campbell’s speech touched her and it was good to learn that someone still cares. Applewhite was in the ROTC in her high school, but said she lasted only a couple months.

“I just realized it wasn’t for me,” Applewhite said.

She said most people today can’t talk about character and it was great that Campbell spoke in her class.

“You have to have character to remember about the soldiers that have died for this country,” Applewhite said.

Applewhite summed it up by saying Campbell gave her hope.

Be first to comment this article

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved